Richard Ralph "Dick" Mosser

Wibaux - Richard "Dick" Ralph Mosser, 86, of Wibaux, formerly of Beach, N.D., passed away on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at the Wibaux County Nursing Home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, at the Silha Funeral Home in Beach. A Family and Friends Service will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, at the Silha Funeral Home in Beach. A Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the First Lutheran Church in Beach with Reverend Roger Dieterle officiating Interment will follow the luncheon in the Medora Cemetery in Medora, N.D. Following the interment, there will be a reception at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora.

Dick was born on Jan. 26, 1928, in Grand Forks, N.D., a son of early day pioneers, Ralph and Meta (Hartmann) Mosser. He is a descendent of Ernest and Sarah Moore, who came from England in 1880. Dick grew up on the TD Ranch, also known as the Hall Ranch, north of Beach. He went to school in Sentinel Butte, N.D., for the first four years and then went to the Beach school system and graduated with the class of 1945.

Dick worked in the Beach area for several years. He later became reacquainted with Marjorie Farstveet, a girl that he had known in school. They were married on Dec. 16, 1949, at the original stone Lutheran Church in Beach. As newlyweds, they lived in Beach until 1951 when they then moved to the Carr Ranch 35 miles north of Medora along the Little Missouri River. In 1965, Dick and Marge moved to a ranch north of Beach and also rented a house in Beach, where their children attended school. In 1973, Dick and his brother-in-law, John Hollstein, purchased a ranch by Maurine, S.D., where they ran a yearling operation for many years. In 1973, they built a home in Beach (near the end of his ranching career, Dick moved to town permanently while he continued to ranch at Government Creek Ranch, North of Medora. Around 1975 he was one of the first in the area to breed black baldy cattle, with a Charlois bull to bring a larger and better calf to market. He especially enjoyed yearlings, starting with about 50 head that grew to over 1,200 by the time he retired. His hobbies included going to rodeos and his favorites were, the Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City and the annual Home on The Range Rodeo.

Dick was a member of the North Dakota Stockman's Association for 63 years. He was a member of the Medora Grazing Association for 46 years and was a member of the Board of Directors for several years. Dick was a member of the Dickinson Elk Lodge No. 1137 for 43 years and a member of the First Lutheran Church in Beach. Dick was a board member of the Triangle Nite Club in Sidney, having meetings every Wednesday (sales day). He was also a supporter of the Dickinson State University Rodeo Club.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his sons Douglas (Rosie) Mosser, of Beach, and Randall (Sue) Mosser, of Medora; daughters Marilyn (Merle) Koon, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Jayne (Vernon) Harkins, of Boulder City, Nev.; seven grandchildren, Brandy Mosser, Naomi (Kit) Conn, Abbey (Brett) Weiss, Mason and Michael Koon, and Chandler and Breanne Harkins; four great-grandchildren, Gunnar and Creighton Conn and Braelin and Elsie Weiss; and sister Connie (John) Hollstein, of Wibaux.

Memorials may be made to the North Dakota Stockmen's Association Scholarship fund.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www. silhafuneralhomes.com.